Obama and Japanese leader vow closer ties 70 years after the end of World War II

The United States and Japan on Tuesday vowed to forge closer ties at the outset of a White House visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 70 years after the end of World War II.

The two nations agreed to strengthen a wide variety of links on trade, military cooperation, cybersecurity, nuclear nonproliferation, anti-terrorism efforts, climate change and humanitarian assistance. In a statement released Tuesday morning, the White House said that the U.S.-Japanese relationship "stands as a model of the power of reconciliation:  former adversaries who have become steadfast allies." The White House added that the two countries would seek "to build a strong rules-based international order, based on a commitment to rules, norms and institutions."

The Abe visit is full of symbolism and historical echoes -- a speech to Congress, a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and a walk on Monday through the Lincoln Memorial.

But the two countries also account for 30 percent of the global economy, and two-way trade between them amounted to $279 billion in 2014. Both Abe and Obama have backed talks aimed at crafting a new trade deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and further discussions will take place during the visit here, though no immediate breakthroughs are expected, according to Japanese diplomatic officials.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss military ties and a new agreement on cooperation in Asia. The United States and Japan share many of the same strategic concerns about a nuclear North Korea, a growing Chinese military and nuclear proliferation. With the approach of the anniversary this summer of the U.S. nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the two countries said that they "affirm that it is in the interest of all States that the 70-year record of non-use should be extended forever and remain convinced that all States share the responsibility for achieving this goal."

Steven Mufson covers the White House. Since joining The Post, he has covered economics, China, foreign policy and energy.